Rug cleaning machine



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May 31, 1966 A. F. MOORE ET AL RUG CLEANING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Deo. 9, 1963 INVENTOR5 lm, im 211g Mc( www WATTORNE'YS.

United States Patent O 3,253,432 'RUG CLEANING MACHINE Arthur F. Moore and Gregg R. Moore, both of Elkhart, Ind., assignors to Moores Time-Saving Equipment, Inc., Eikhart, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Filed Dec. 9, 1963, Ser. No. 328,797 23 Claims. (Cl. 68-22) This invention relates to a stationary rug cleaning machine into the front end of which the rugs to be cleanedv are fed edgewise in succession, the rugs being `subjected in the machine to jets of washing solution, mechanical working or massaging to knead the dirt out of the nap, rinsing from both sides, wringing by passing through a pair of squeeze or wringer rolls, and final roll up of the finished rug, if desired, although the leading edge of the emerging rug can be used to convey the cleaned rug directly through a dryer.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide such a rug cleaning machine which thoroughly washes, kneads the nap of the rug, rinses and wrings the rug so that the succession of rugs are thoroughly cleaned.

Another object is to provide such a rug cleaning machine in which there is no transfer of ber, lint, dirt or color from one rug to succeeding rugs, such as fibers from a red rug being transferred to a succeeding white fug v Another aim is to provide such a rug cleaning machine which is very gentle in its action so as not to degrade or impair rugs having weak or loosely coupled fibers, while yat the same time thoroughly kneading the dirt out of heavy deep nap rugs'as well as worn or thin nap rugs.

Another object is to provide such a rug cleaning machine which is itself kept clean and free from soil, not only to prevent transfer of fibers or the like from one rug to the other but also to avoid the necessity for careful cleaning -on shut-down.

Another aim is to provide such a rug cleaning machine which acts upon the full area of rugs passing through the same, but at the same time is composed of few parts providing intense localized action, the mechanical kneading or massaging means and also the high intensity cleaning solution and rinse water jets directed against the nap of the rug being reciprocated along the rug so that each has an intense localized action transferred back and forth through a larger zone of action.

Another object is to provide such a rug cleaning machine which is simple in construction and low in cost, considering the function which it performs,- and which will stand up under conditions of severe and constant use without getting -out of order or requiring repairs.

Another object is to provide such a rug cleaning machine which is largely composed of standard mass produced parts available on the market at low cost.

Another object is to provide such a rug cleaning machine in which the jets are adequately shielded to prevent the escape of cleaning solution or spray water.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings in which:

FIG. l is a side elevational view of the rug cleanin machine embodying the present invention, the rugs traveling from right to left as viewed in this figure.

FIG. 2 is a .side elevational view from the opposite side of the rug cleaning machine, the rugs traveling from left to right.

FIG. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the rug cleaning machine taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 4, and stripped of certain main frame and other parts to clarify the showing of conveying the rug fro-m right to left through the machine as well as the showing of the ICC rolls, and the roll-up roll.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the forward part of the rug cleaning machine.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view, similar to FIG. 4, of the transversely reciprocating overhead mechanism directing high pressure jets of soap and water downwardly upon the passing rugs.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the overhead spray mechanism shown in FIG. 5, this section being taken on line 6 6, FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIGS, 7 and 8 are enlarged fragmenary vertical sectional views similar to FIG. 3 and illustratingthe action of the rubber lingers or ribs of the massaging rolls upon the passing rugs and the manner in which a wave action is created in the washing solution contained in the space between these massaging rolls.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective View of one end of a massaging roll.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevational view of one of the rubber rings forming working surfaces -of the massaging roll illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a path pattern of the reciprocating high u pressure cleaning `solution jets and of the reciprocating massaging rolls in relation to the passing rug. In this figure the rug travels from the bottom of the sheet toward the top and the legends indicate the speed of travel of the rug; jet nozzles and massaging rolls.

FIG. 12 shows the pattern of the jet from an individu-al high pressure cleaning `solution nozzle.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken aolng line 13--13 of FIG. 3 land illustrating the laterally reciprocating overhead rinsing jet nozzles forming part of the rug cleaning machine.

FIG, 14 is a vertical transverse section through the shaft of the rug roll-up and the ratchet connection therebetween.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to FIG. 1 and illustrating a modification in which the two massage rolls are interconnected through relatively small sprockets.

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 and illustrating a modification in which the massaging rolls are interconnected through sprockets which are larger than the RUG CONVEYING MECHANISM The rug cleaning machine embodying the present invent-ion is shown as having a main frame 20 composed of various horizontal and vertical structural members welded together to support the moving working parts. The leading edge of each rug 21 to be cleaned is impaled on the pins 22 which project radially from the periphery of a feed-in roll 23 and which extends the full width of the rug cleaning machine .across the front end thereof, the pins 22 extending the full effective length of this roll. This roll is journalled at its ends in bearings 24 at such position that its crest is slightly above a horizontal metal plate 25 carried by the main frame 20 and extending substantially the full width of the machine. This feed-in roll 23 can be journalled for free rotation so that the rugs 21 can be fed by hand over it into the rug cleaning machine, or it can be power driven through a manually controlled clutch (not shown) -to rotate this roll in the direction of the arrows associated with this feed-in roll in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4.

When the feed-in roll 23 is turned in this direction, the

leading edge of the rug 21 impaled on its pins 22 is brought over the top of a feed-in shelf or ledge 28 in the form of an inclined plate extending the full length of the feed-in roll 23 with its high front edge immediately behind the crest of the feed-in roll 23 and its lower rear edge directed toward the front edge of the horizontal table plate 25, as best shown in FIG. 3. This ledge or shelf 28 can have its front end loosely mounted on a cross rod 29 mounted on a suitable support 30 carried by the main frame 20 ofthe rug cleaning machine and its rear end is shown as supported by a series of transversely spaced endless belts 31 the upper stretches of which travel in a fore-and-aft direction over the top of thetable plate 25 as best shown in FIG. 3. The forward ends of this group of belts 31 travel around a front idler roller 32 extending the width of the rug cleaning machine and fast to a shaft 33 journalled at its opposite ends in bearings 34 on the rnain frame 20. The rear ends of this group of belts 31 travel around a rear power roller 35 extending the width of the rug cleaning machine and fixed to a power shaft 36 journalled at its opposite ends in bearings 38 on the main frame 20.

The rollers 32, 35 are driven in the direction of the arrows associated with them in FIG. 3 so that the upper stretches of the belts 31 move each rug 21 received from the feed-in shelf 28 over the horizontal table plate 25 toward the rear of the rug cleaning machine. For this purpose a double sprocket 40, FIG. 2, that has two sets of teeth, is fast to one end of the shaft 36 for the roller 35 and is connected by a chain 41 to a sprocket 42 fast to one end of a shaft 43. Another sprocket 44 is also fast to this end of the shaft 43 and is connected by a chain 45 with a sprocket 46 fast to one end of a drive shaft 48. This drive shaft 48 is suitably journalled on the main frame 20 and extends the full width of the rug cleaning machine and is the output shaft from a gear reducer 49. This gear reducer is driven by a pair of belts 50 from a motor 51 as best shown in FIG. 2.

Between the upper stretches of the several belts 31 traversing the top of the table plate 25, a series of metal straps are secured to the top of the metal table plate 25. These straps 55 provide ways for the several belts 31 but in addition their rear ends extend over the top of the roller 35 and thence downwardly among a series of endless belts 56 the front ends of which travel around a roll 58 which extends the full width of the rug cleaning machine and is fixed to a shaft 59 suitably journalled in bearings 60 on the main frame 20 of the rug cleaning machine. This shaft 59 is turned by means of a sprocket 61 secured to one end thereof as shown in FIG. 2, this sprocket being turned by means of a chain 62 which passes around the double sprocket 40 and which also passes around a working sprocket 63 fixed to one end of a shaft 64 which is journalled in bearings 65 on the opposite sides of the main frame 20 of the rug cleaning machine. This chain also travels around an idler or return sprocket 66 suitably journalled on the main frame 20. The forward ends of the groups of belts 56 travel around idler pulleys 68 journalled on a fixed cross shaft 69, this cross shaft also having fixed thereto guides 70 for directing the rugs leaving the upper stretches of the groups of belts 56.

Within the main frame 20 the shaft 64 has fixed thereto a roll 71 having a sponge rubber face 72 which engages the nap side of the rugs 21 passing from the straps 55 to the conveyor belts 56, this roll being spaced above the group of conveyor belts 56 and the nap side of the rug being drawn into engagement therewith by a pair of squeeze rolls 73 and 74 arranged one above the other, the guides 70 directing the rugs into the nip or bite between these squeeze rolls. These squeeze rolls are preferably made of soft resilient fiexible material such as rubber and the lower squeeze roll is fixed to the shaft 43 to which the sprockets 42 and 44 are fixed so that it is driven in the direction of the arrows shown in FIG. 3. The shaft 76 for the upper squeeze roll 73 is journalled in bearings 78 on the machine frame and is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow shown in FIG. 3 through frictional contact with the rugs 21 passing between the squeeze rolls 73 and 74. For this purpose the lower squeeze roll 74 is biased or urged upwardly by helical compression springs 80 mounted on the main frame 20 at opposite ends thereof and acting against supports 81 for the 4bearings 82 in which the opposite ends of the shaft 43 are journalled. The bearing support 81 has rvertical guide bars or shoes 83 at opposite sides of each bearing 82 and which work in vertical guide ways 84 fixed to the main frame 20 of the rug cleaning machine.

The shaft 43 for the lower squeeze roll 74 carries a fixed drive sprocket 85 connected by a drive chain 86 to a driven sprocket S8 fixed to the corresponding end of a shaft 89 extendingthe full width of the rug cleaning machine and suitably journalled thereon. This shaft 89 carries a rug roll-up roll 90 the periphery of which is provided with a multiplicity of radially projecting ribs 91 which grip the reverse or back faces of the rugs 21 and rolls them up into a roll 21a in the valley 92 between this rug roll-up roll and the lower squeeze roll 74 as illustrated at the left of FIG. 3.

A feature of the invention resides in the interposition of a ratchet mechanism, indicated generally at 95, FIG. 14, between the rug roll-up roll 90 and the shaft 89' on which it is journalled and which is turned through its sprocket 88. This ratchet mechanism comprises a ratchet wheel 96 keyed to the shaft 89 and the ratchet teeth 98 of which are engaged by a dog 99 pivoted on a rod 100 secured to an end head of the rug roll-up roll. A spring 101 fixed to the rug roll-up roll 90 biases the dog into engagement with the ratchet teeth. The purpose of this ratchet drive is to prevent the rolled up rug 21a from being crowded into the valley 92 if the operator should reverse the action of the machine as in drawing a rug taut therein.

RUG MASSAGING ROLLS At the side of the main frame 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 a sprocket 102 is fixed to an output shaft 107 of a motor and speed reducer 97, and this sprocket 102, through a chain 103 drives a sprocket 104 fast to one end of a crank or eccentric shaft 105, an idler sprocket 106 being shown as engaging the bottom stretch of this chain. The crank shaft is journalled in bearings 108 and extends the full width of the frame 20, and at its opposite ends, exteriorly of the frame 20, has fixed thereto crank wheels or disks 109 each having a crank pin 110 carrying a wrist bearing 111 fixed to one end of a horizontally reciprocating connecting rod 112. The opposite end of each connecting rod 112 is connected by a wrist bearing 113 to a horizontal pin 114 extending through the rearwardly projecting ears of a yoke 115, the forward end of which is welded to a bracket 116 projecting horizontally from the sides of a carriage indicated generally at 118.

This carriage reciprocates horizontally in a fore-andaft direction over the table or bed plate 25 over which the rug 21 is being conveyed by the conveyer straps 31 and the carriage extends the full width of the main frame 20. For this purpose rails 120 are mounted on the main frame 20 at opposite sides of the table plate 2.5 and extend fore-and-aft of the rug cleaning machine. Each of these rails 120 supports a pair of wheels or rollers 121 of the carriage 118. The pair of these wheels or rollers at each side of the rug cleaning machine supports a main side beam 122 of the carriage 118, these main side beams being connected by a cross beam 125.

AThe brackets 116, to which the connecting rods 112 are pivctally connected, project transversely outwardly from these main side beams 122 of the carriage 118 and hence it will be seen that rotation of the crank or eccentric shaft 105, through the crank pins 110 and connecting rods 112, reciprocates the carriage 118 fore-and-aft of the r'ug cleaningmachine with its rollers 121 travelling along the rails 120.

An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of a pair of rug massaging or kneading rolls 126 on the carriage 118, these rolls extending the full width of the rug cleaning machine and being xed to shafts 128 suitably journalled at their ends in bearings 129 xed to the main side beams 122 of the carriage 118. These massaging or kneading rolls are arranged in spaced relation to each other in a common horizontal plane and each has secured to its periphery a tread composed of a plurality of rings 130 of soft resilient yielding material, preferably of a 30 durometer rubber. These rubber rings are arranged in contact with each other and secured, as by cement 131 to the periphery, a metal core 132 of each roll 126 and each is provided with an annular series of radially projecting integral lingers or ribs 133, which are preferably of V or wedge-shape in cross section, diminishing toward their outer extremities, to provide a plurality of V-shaped channels 134 therebetween.

These ribs 133 of any one ring 130 are preferably uniformly spaced and of uniform size and configuration but the ribs 133 of one rubber ring 138 do not aline with the ribs of the succeeding ring 138 but are preferably arranged in the random or non-alined pattern shown in FIG. 9. These ribs 133 are of such thickness and, being composed of 30 durometer rubber, radially flex against the nap of the rug 21 being conveyed over the table plate by the conveyer belts 31, these ribs being brought into pressure contact with the nap of the rug, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

A feature of the invention resides in the control of the action of the two massaging rolls 126 as their carriage 118 is reciprocated back and forth along the rails 128. Thus, referring to FIG. 1, a sprocket 135 is fixed to the same end on the shaft 128 of each of these massaging rolls, these sprockets being arranged exteriorly of the corresponding main side beam 122 of the carriage 118..

-in FIG. 7. When, however, the carriage 118 moves toward the forward end of the rug cleaning machine, as indicated by the arrow b in FIG. 8, the fingers or ribs 133 are flexed in the opposite direction illustrated in FIG. 8.

CLEANING SOLUTION AND RINSE IETS During the travel of the rugs through the rug cleaning machine, as above described, the rugs are subjected to the application of cleaning solution and rinse water as follows:

The numeral 140 represents a horizontal pipe for suppyling hot low pressure washing solution to the rugs 21 as they `enter the rug cleaning machine, this pipe extending the full width of the machine a short distance above the feed-in shelf `or ledge 28 and being supplied from an upright supply pipe 141, FIG. l, containing a valve 142.

This horizontal pipe 140 is shrouded by a guard indicated generally at 143 and has a vertical front wall 144 facing the operator placing rugs upon the feed-in roll 23 both to protect him from contact with the pipe 140 and also the jets from thispipe as hereinafter described. This guard 143 has a bottom flange 145 forming, with the feed-in shelf or ledge 28, a throat 146 of diminishing size tand through which the leading edges of the rugs 21 can be fed to the nirp 148 between the front massaging roll 126 and the conveyor belts 31. The guard 143 also has a top wall 149 through which a plurality of cleaning solution pipes 150 extend, these pipes arching upwardly, as -best shown in FIG. 3, and each terminating in a nozzle 151 which directs a jet 152 of low pressure washing solution against the rug' 21 as it passes over the feed-in shelf `or ledge 28 and before entering the nip 148 between the front massage roll 126 and the conveyor belts 31.

The cross beam 125 of the carriage 118 extends above the rear massaging roll 126. This cross beam 125, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 carries a motor 155 operating through 'a speed reducer 156 having an output shaft 158 carrying a sprocket 157, this output shaft being horizontal `and extending in a fore-and-aft direction with reference to the rug cleaning machine. A drive chain 160 connects the sprocket 157 with la sprocket 161 f-ast to a shaft 162 journalled in the carriage cross beam 125 and a pinion 163 is fast to the opposite end -of the shaft 162. A chain 164 connects this pinion 163 with another pinion 165 mounted on the carriage cross beam 125, the upper vand lower stretches of this chain 164 being parallel with this carriage cross beam 125.

This cross beam 125 of the carriage 118 has xed lthereto the rear flanges 166 of a series of inverted U- shaped brackets 168, these brackets being secured to the forward side of the carri-age cross beam 125. The forward flanges 169 of these brackets carry a horizontal rail 170 which extends the full width of the rug cleaning machine and is held in spaced relation to the front flanges of the brackets 168 Aby spacers 171. On this rail 170 are mounted a series of trolleys 172, each comprising a vertical plate 173 and a pair of ulpper and lower grooved trolley w-heels 174 and 175 journalled therebetween and engaging and embracing the upper and lower edges of the track 170 as best shown in FIGS. 1 .and 6. One of these trolleys 172 carries Aa horizontalpin 176 on which is journalled the wrist bearing 178 of a connecting rod 179. The opposite end of this connecting rod is journalled von a horizontal pin projecting [forwardly from the chain 164. The several trolleys 172 are connected to move in unison with a connecting bar 181 and carry a series of pipes 182 supplied with Washing solution under high pressure, say `in the `order of 3D0-350 p sii., from flexible spray lines 183, FIG. 4.

The outlet end lof each of these pipes preferably terminates as lfollows:

As `best shown in FIG. 6, the outlet end of each of these pipes 182 extends beyond its trolley 172 `and thence downwardly and laterally, terminating in a downwardly directed nozzle 185 which discharges washing solution in the form of `a relatively high pressure jet 186 down onto the rug 21 being conveyed over the table pl-ate 25 by the belts 31 and between the massaging rolls 126. Each of these nozzles is contained within a guard or shroud comprising aninverted U-shaped metal channel 187 secured to each pipe 182 above its nozzle 185 with its depending flanges extending fore-and-aft with reference to the rug cleaning machine. To the inner yface of each inverted U-shaped metal channel 187 is clamped, by means 4of a clamping plate 188 and nut, a rubber liner 189 the sides of which extend downwardly close to the nap of the rug being conveyed over the table plate 25 by the belts 31 and the front and rear edges of which are preferably curved to conform to the cylindrical shape of the massaging rolls 126, as best shown in FIG. 3.

It will be seen that this group of high pressure nozzles 185 are recipirocated `fore-and-aft of the rug cleaning machine by virtue of the fore-and-aft reciprocation of the carriage 118 tand that these nozzles are also reciprocated transversely of the rug cleaning machine by the connecting rod 179 -as it alternately progresses along the upper and lower stretches of 4the chain 164.

As the rug travels downwardly from the upper stretch of the conveyor belt 31 under the rinse roll 71 the under or back side of the rug is subjected to rinsing by sprays 190 discharging upwardly from a. cross pipe 191 as best illustrated in FIG. 3. I ust vbefore the rug enters the nip 192 between the squeeze rolls 73 and 74 it is subjected to a series of downwardly directed rinse sprays 193 which are reciprocated horizontally transversely of the rug cleaning machine as follows:

As `best shown in FIGS. 3 and 13, the sprays 193 are emitted from a series of nozzles 194 projecting downwardly from a horizontal spray pipe 195 which extends substantially the full width of the rug cleaning machine. The overhead branches 196 for and supporting this spray pipe 195 have an overhead supply line 198 and are suspended from the main fname by means Iof metal strips or spring leaves 199 ywhich permit horizontal movement of the spray pipe 195 lengthwise of its axis or transversely of the path of the rugs through the machine. To effect such movement a motor 200 is mounted on the mainframe 20 -of the machine and through speed reducer 201 drive-s crank shaft 202. The crank pin 203 of this crank shaft is connected by :a spring leaf 204 with one end of branch 196 of the supply line 198 so that the rotation of the crank shaft 282 serves to oscillate the spray pipe 195 ilengthwise of its `axis and transversely of the rug cleaning machine so that its rinsing sprays are brought into contact with the full transverse area of the rugs 21 being conveyed thereunder.

oPsRArioN.*RUG TRAVEL To feed each rug 21 edgeways and horizontally into the machine its leading edge is arranged nap side up parallel with the feed-in roll 23 and impaled on the points 22 thereof, this feed-in roll 23 rotating in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 3 either manually or through power with a manually controlled clutch (not shown). The leading edge of the rug 21 is thereby brought on top of the feed-in shelf 28 and through the rotation of the feed-in roll 23 is pushed through the throat 146 under the guard 143 for the low pressure washing solution supply pipe 140. From the feed-in shelf 28 the leading edge of each rug passes onto the upper stretches of the multiplicity of conveyer belts 31 passing over the table top backing support 25. The leading edge enters the bite 14S between the rubber lingers or ribs 133 of the forward massaging roll 126 which brings the leading edge into pressured contact with the upper stretches of the conveyer belts 31 so that the rug is positively propelled along with its back in contact with the table top backing support by the upper stretches of the belts 31. I

The leading edge of each rug 21 then enters the bite between the rubber fingers or ribs 133 of the rear massaging roll 126 and the upper stretches of the conveyer elts 31.

From the discharge end of the upper stretches of the conveyer belts 31 the leading edge of the rug travels downwardly along the inclined slats which are secured to the table top backing support 25 among the upper stretches of the conveyor belts 31, these inclined slats 55 bringing the rug onto the upper stretches of the several conveyer belts 56. These conveyer belts move the leading edge of each rug onto the guides which deliver the leading edge between the rubber squeeze rolls 73 and 74. These squeeze rolls are driven at such speed as to pull on the leading edge of each rug coming therebetween and to draw the nap surface of the rug into engagement with the under side of the rinse roll 71. The squeeze rolls 73 and 74 deliver the leading edge of the rug onto the rising side of the roll-up roll which is driven in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 3 through the ratchet mechanism illustrated in FIG. 14, this ratchet mechanism permitting the rest of the ma chine to be momentarily reversed to get the rug l'taut in the machine without being crushed into the valley 92 between the roll-up roll 99 and the lower squeeze roll 74 and possibly torn by the pins 91 of the roll-up roll.

WASHING SOLUTION J ETS On emerging from the throat 148 of the guard 143 for the low pressure washing solution spray pipe the rugs 21 are subjected to the jets 152 from the multiplicity of nozzles 151, the pressure of these preferably 'being in the order of l0 p.s.i. These jets serve to wet the rugs preparatory to the action of the massaging rolls 126, 126 between which the rugs are preferably subjected to the high pressure jets 186 from the nozzles 185.

The washing solution to these high pressure washing solution nozzles 185 is supplied from the lines 183 (FIG. 4) through the pipes 182 preferably at a pressure in the order of from 30() to 350 p.s.i. and the nozzles 185 are preferably designed to provide high pressure jets 186 directly against the rugs passing thereunder and to this end preferably the pattern p of each jet 186 is preferably as illustrated in FIG. l2, that is, in the form of a narrow lband or line extending lengthwise of the line of travel of the rugs. With such a pattern, in order to cover the entire area of the passing rugs, the group of nozzles 185 are reciprocated horizontally transversely of the line of movement of the rugs for which purpose the pipes 182 carrying these nozzles 185 are mounted on the travelers or carriers 173 which are connected together by the bar 181 to travel together along the transverse rail 170. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 one of these travelers 172 is connected by the connecting rod 179 to the pivot pin 188 projecting transversely from the chain 164 so that as this pin travels along the top stretch of this chain the pipes 182 and jets 185 are moved transversely of the rug cleaning machine in one direction and as this pivot pin travels along the lower stretches of this chain the pipe 182 and jets 185 are moved in the opposite direction. The chain 164 is driven by the motor 155, speed reducer 156, drive chain 160, and sprocket shaft 162. As illustrated in FIG. l1 the jets 186 reciprocate 36 inches and are spaced 34 inches so that they overlap in their action and the jets preferably reciprocate in the order of 12 strokes lper minute.

These high pressure jets provide washing solution in such volume as to build up a body 210 of washing solution in the sprays between the massaging rolls 126, the presence of this body, in conjunction with the action of the massaging rolls 126 being an important feature of the invention regardless of how this body is produced, that is, by the overhead jets 186 or otherwise.

THE MASSAGING ROLLS An important feature of the invention resides in the action of the pair of massaging rolls 126. These rolls are journalled on the carriage 118 having wheels or rollers 121 travelling along the horizontal tracks 120 on the main frame 20 so that the carriage 113 moves lengthwise of the line of movement of the rugs through the machine. This carriage is reciprocated by the connecting rod 112 at each side of the machine which connects with the corresponding crank pin 118 of the crank shaft driven by the motor 51 and speed reducer 49 through the drive chain 103. Accordingly the massaging rolls 126 are moved horizontally transversely of their axes lengthwise of the line of movement of the rugs.

The rubber fing-ers or ribs 133 of these massaging rolls are in pressured contact with the r-ugs 21 passing thereunder and flex in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, that is, as the carriage 118 reciprocates in one direction the fingers 133 are flexed correspondingly and when the carriage 118 reciprocates in the other direction the fingers 133 are flexed in this opposite direction. This flexing action of these lingers in kneading or massaging the nap of. the rug passing thereunder is controlled by the chain 136 interconnecting the sprockets 135 at the ends of the shafts 128 of these massaging rolls, this chain being connected to the main frame 20 by the anchoring rolls 73, 74 the rugs have been wrung out.

link 139. However, as illustrated in FIG. 15, these sprockets, designated at 135a are smaller than the massaging rolls 126, they provide an accelerated rotation of the massaging rolls. sprockets, designated at 13511 are larger than the massaging rolls 126 they provide a retarded rotary movement of the massaging rolls. If, as illustrated in FIG. 17, the chain 136 is driven from an independent sourceof power, as from a variable speed power take ofi? 211 from one end of the shaft 33 via a chain 212 and sprockets 213 and 214, any desired rotary movement of these massaging rolls 126 can be obtained.

The action of the lingers 133 of these massaging rolls 126 thoroughly kneads and massages the nap of the rug while at the same time lint or fiber does not collect on these fingers particularly because of their large wedge-like form and also Ibecause they 4are being constantly washed by the body 210 of washing solution which builds up in the space between the massaging rolls 126, 126. This body 210 is built up in any suitable manner, preferably from the high pressure sprays 186 discharging downwardly from the nozzles 185 and the reciprocation of the carriage 118 and massaging rolls 126 creates a wave action in this body 210 of washing solution. Thus when `the carriage 118 and massaging rolls 126 are travelling toward the rear of the machine, as illustrated by the arrow a in FIG. 7, a large wave 215 is built up behind the front massaging roll 126 as illustrated by the arrow c. When the carriage 118 and massaging rolls 126 reverse their motion, and are moving toward the front of the machine, as illustrated by the arrow b in FIG. 8, a large wave 216 builds up in front of the rear massaging roll as illustrated by the arrow d. In these figures the movement of the rugs 21 onthe vbelts 31 is illustrated by the arrow e. This turbulence and wave action not only assists in cleaning the rugs, but also serves to wash the lingers 133 and remove any lint or ber therefrom, this being particularly important in rug cleaning where a white rug might follow a red rug and where it would be highly undesirable to have fibers from the red rug transferred to the white rug by the massaging fingers 133, this being an important disadvantage in present rug cleaning machines where brushes are employed.

RINSING As the rugs travel down the inclined slats 55 their undersides are subjected to the rinse jets 19t) which are discharged upwardly from the cross pipe 191, as best illustrated in FIG. 3.

Beyond these rinse jets the rug is brought in contact with the rinse roll 71 which serves to exert a moderate pressure against the rug and following which the nap of the rug is subjected to the downwardly directed jets 193 from the rinse nozzles 194. The rinsing of `the nap by these jets 193 is thorough and `over the entire surface of the rug and to this end the transverse pipe 195 carrying these nozzles is reciprocated transversely of the line of travel of the rugs. This is achieved, as best illustrated in FIG. 13, by suspending the jet pipe 195 from vertical spring leaf hangers 199 and connecting this pipe 19S through a horizontal spring leaf 204 with a bearing on a If, as illustrated Ain FIG. 16, these l crank pin 203 actuated by a motor 200 and speed reducer WRINGER ROLLS Following rinsing by the overhead reciprocating jets 193 each rug 21 travels between the upper and lower pair of squeeze rolls 73, 74 which are made of soft resilient material and exert pressure against the top and bottom faces of the rug so as to squeeze the rinse water out of the rugs, so.that on emerging from these squeeze solution and rinse water can be conducted to the sewer in any suitable manner (not shown), preferably neither being reused.

The washingv 10 ROLL-UP ROLL On emerging from the squeeze rolls the rug encounters the pins 91 of the roll-up roll 90 and the rug on being started into the form of a roll 21a will build up as a rolledy rug in the valley 92 between this roll-up roll and the lower squeeze roll as illustrated in FIG. 3. Preferably this roll-up roll is driven through the ratchet mechanism 95 illustrated in FIG. 14 so that if the operator should desire to momentarily reverse the action of the rug cleaning machine in order to draw a rug taut, this roll-up roll 90 will not be driven in a direction to crowd the roll 21a between it and the lower squeeze roll 74 with resulting danger of the ribs 91 of the roll-up roll crowding the rug down into the valley 92.

OPERATING FEATURES The body 210 of washing solution contained on the nap of `the rug 21 between the reciprocating massaging rolls 126 has been found to be a fundamental advance over prior practices regardless of whether this body is built up by overhead high pressure jets 186 or not. Thus the cleaning solution of this body 210 is worked into the nap by the rubber fingers 133 of the massaging roll advancing into this body 210 of cleaning solution as illustrated at the right of FIG. 7 and the left of FIG. 8 while, conversely, this cleaning solution together with dirt and foreign matter, is worked out of the nap and into the body 210 of solution, by the rubber fingers 133 of the massaging roll retreating from the body 210 of cleaning solution illustrated at the left of FIG. 7 and the right of FIG` 8. The massaging rolls, therefore, in addition to acting as dams for confining the body 210 of solution on the rug, work this body of solution into the nap of the rug at one side and work ythe solution and dirt out of the nap and into the body of washing solution at the other side, this different action of the two massaging rolls constantly being reversed as they are reciprocated back and forth.

Further the fingers 133 of the massaging rolls are themselves constantly being washed, so that lint or fibers are brought into the body 210 of washing solution, which is subsequently drained to the sewer, so that there is no transfer of lint, rug fiber, or dirt from rug to rug.

In FIG. 11 is illustrated diagramatically the paths and movement of each rug 21 in relation to the massaging rolls 126 and jets 186. Thus the rug 214 is indicated as moving from the bottom line h to the upper line g at a rate of 48 inches per minute. At the same time the carriage 118, together with jet nozzles 185 mounted thereon, are reciprocated back and forth the distance between the upper line g to the top line i, a distance of 6 inches, at a rate of 72 strokes per minute. The jet nozzles 185 are also reciprocated back and forth transversely of the line of movement of the rug 21 a'distance of 36 inches at 12 strokes per minute as indicated by the vectors j which represent the transverse movement of the jet nozzles 185 and the fore-and-aft movement of the rug. Since these jet nozzles are also being moved fore-and-aft by virtue of their being mounted on the 'carriage 118, their composite movement is represented by the vectors k. The zone of action of the nozzles has a two inch overlap, the starting position of one nozzle 185 being designated Start I and the starting position of' the next nozzle 185 being designated at Start II. It will be seen that the high pressure jet nozzles 185 very effectively work against all parts of passing rugs, especially in View of their jet pattern, FIG. 12, which is in the form of a band extending fore-and-aft of .the line of movement of the rugs. is prevented by the splash guards 189.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides a rug cleaning machine which not only has a high capacity but also thoroughly cleans therug both =through the presence of washing solution in combination with mechanical kneading or massaging of the Escaping splash from these high pressure jetsrug. Also the rugs are thoroughly rinsed and wrung out preparatory to drying. It will also be seen that the action of the massaging rolls can be adjusted and that their fingers 133 thoroughly knead 4the nap of the rug while in contact with a turbulent body of cleaning solution so as to mechanically work out dirt or foreign matter in the nap of the rug. It will also be seen that the massaging fingers 133 do not retain any fiber or lint so that bers worked loose from one rug are not transferred to the next succeeding rug.

We claim:

1. A rug cleaning machine, comprising a frame, means on said frame forming a backing support for a substantial area of the rug, means conveying the rug edgeways with its back face engaging said backing support means, at least one massaging roll arranged on the side of said rug opposite from said backing support means and having a multiplicity of radially projecting fingers around and along its perihperal surface in pressure contact with that portion of the rug being conveyed along said backing support means, means moving said massaging roll transversely of its axis and generally parallel with that portion of the rug being conveyed along said backing support means to cause its fingers to knead the nap of the rug and mechanically work dirt out of the nap, and means applying washing solution at such locations and in sufficient quantity to wash said massaging roll and the nap being worked by said massaging roll.

2. A rug cleaning machine as set forth in claim 1 additionally including means driving said massaging roll at a peripheral speed different from the speed of travel of the rug along said backing support means. v

3. A rug cleaning machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein two of said massaging rolls are provided in parallel spaced relation to each other.

4. A rug cleaning machine as set forth in claim 3 wherein said washing solution is supplied to the space .between said rolls in sufficient quantity to build up a body of washing solution conned in this space by said massaging rolls and in which body a turbulence action is created by the movement of the massaging rolls.

5. A rug cleaning machine as set forth in claim 3 wherein said Washing solution is supplied to the space between said rolls through a plurality of jet nozzles directing jets of washing solution downwardly against the nap of the rug in said space.

6. A rug cleaning machine as set forth in claim 5 wherein means support said nozzles as a group for movement in a path lengthwise of said massaging rolls, and means reciprocating said group of nozzles lengthwise of said path.

7. A rug cleaning machine as set forth in claim 5 wherein lthe pattern of'eac-h jet of cleaning solution impinging on the rug is in the form of a narrow band extending lengthwise of of the line of travel of the rug.

8. A rug cleaning machine as set forth in claim 3 additionally including means driving said massaging rolls at a peripheral speed different from the speed of travel of the rug along said backing support means.

9. A r-ug cleaning machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein two of said massaging rolls are provided in parallel spaced relation to each other and wherein the means moving the massaging rolls transversely of their axes includes a carriage in which said massaging rolls are journalled, a track on said frame supporting said carriage for reciprocation therealong, a sprocket fixed concentrically to each massaging roll, a chain interconnecting said sprockets, and means restraining the movement of said chain.

10. A rug cleaning machine as set fort-h in claim 9 wherein said restraining means comprises an anchorage on said frame connected to one stretch of said chain.

11. A rug cleaning machine as set forth in claim 9 wherein the effective size of the sprockets is smaller than the effective size of said massaging rolls.

12. A rug cleaning machine as set forth in claim 9 12 wherein tbe effective size of the sprockets is greater than the effective size of the massaging rolls.

13. A rug cleaning machine as set forth in claim 9 wherein said means restraining lthe movement of said chain comprises a sprocket journalled on said frame with its teeth in engagement with said chain and power means rotating said last named sprocket to drive said chain.

14. A rug cleaning machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means forming a backing support comprises a horizontal table top and said conveying means comprise a 4group of endless belts, the upper stretches of which ride on said table top.

15. A rug cleaning machine as set forth in claim 14 wherein slats project from the end of said table top toward which said upper stretches of said endless belts 'travel to receive and support the rug as it leaves said table and wherein means discharge rinse water through said slats against the back face of the rug traveling thereover.

16. A rug cleaning machine as set forth in claim 1 including means guiding the rug as it leaves said backing support means, means discharging rinse water against the rug leaving said backing support means, and a rinse roll around which the nap side of said rug is brought into contact by said guide means.

17. A rug cleaning machine as set forth in claim 16 wherein said rinse water discharging means comprises a group of jets playing against the back face of the rug before reaching said rinse roll and a group of jets playing against the nap face of said rug after leaving said rinse roll.

18. A rug cleaning machine as set forth in claim 17 wherein means are provided for reciprocatingsaid last mentioned group of jets transversely of the line of movement of the rug and generally parallel therewith.

19. A rug cleaning -machine as set forth in claim 16 wherein said guiding means includes endless belts supporting the rug with their stretch parallel with the line of movement of said rug and means moving said belts to advance the rug and bring it into contact with said rinse roll.

20. A rug cleaning machine as set forth in claim 1 additionally including means rinsing the rug leaving said backing support means, a pair of squeeze rolls arranged in parallel relation to provide a nip receiving the leading edge of the rug, the periphery of said squeeze rolls being of soft, resilient plastic material and in pressure contact with the opposite faces of the rugs to wring the rinse water therefrom.

21. A rug cleaning machine as set forth in claim 20 wherein said squeeze rolls are disposed with their axes horizontal one above the other and wherein a rug roll-up is arranged parallel with the axis of and forms an upwardly opening valley with the descending side of the 'lower squeeze roll and is driven in the direction to roll up the rug against said descending side.

22. A rug cleaning machine as set forth in claim 21 wherein said rug rolling roll has its periphery provided with a multiplicity of radially protruding ribs of soft resilient yielding materal.

23. A rug cleaning machine as set forth in claim 22 wherein a ratchet is included in the drive for said rug roll-up roll to prevent retrograde rotation thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 65,076 5/1867 Hanson 68-13 1,564,453 12/1925 Shampay 68-38 X 1,832,839 ll/193l Shampay 68-22 X 2,171,072 8/1939 Tingle 68-45 2,787,153 4/1957 Ketchum et al. 68-205 2,929,088 3/1960 Wier 15-181 3,046,774 7/1962 Glock 68-39 IRVING BUNEVICH, Primary Examiner'. 

1. A RUG CLEANING MACHINE, COMPRISING A FRAME, MEANS ON SAID FRAME FORMING A BACKING SUPPORT FOR A SUBSTANTIAL AREA OF THE RUG, MEANS CONVEYING THE RUG EDGEWAYS WITH ITS BACK FACE ENGAGING SAID BACKING SUPPORT MEANS, AT LEAST ONE MASSAGING ROLL ARRANGED ON THE SIDE OF SAID RUG OPPOSITE FROM SAID BACKING SUPPORT MEANS AND HAVING A MULTIPLICITY OF RADIALLY PROJECTING FINGERS AROUND AND ALONG ITS PERIPHERY SURFACE IN PRESSURE CONTACT WITH THAT PORTION OF THE RUG BEING CONVEYED ALONG SAID BACKING SUPPORT MEANS, MEANS MOVING SAID MASSAGING ROLL TRANSVERSELY OF ITS AXIS AND GENERALLY PARALLEL WITH THAT PORTION OF THE RUG BEING CONVEYED ALONG SAID BACKING SUPPORT MEANS TO CAUSE ITS FINGERS TO KNEAD THE NAP OF THE RUG AND MECHANICALLY WORK DIRT OUT OF THE NAP, AND MEANS APPLYING WASHING SOLUTION AT SUCH LOCATIONS AND IN SUFFICIENT QUANTITY TO WASH SAID MASSAGING ROLL AND THE NAP BEING WORKED BY SAID MASSAGING ROLL. 